Repeating fuse construction



Feb. 12, 1935. j w 0. SCHULTZ ET AL 1,991,064

REPEATING FUSE CONSTRUCTION Filed June 26, 1933 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORNEY w. o. SCHULTZ 'ETAL REPEATING FUSE CONSTRUCTION Feb. 12, 1935.

Filed June 26, 1933 1;?

3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INV ATTORN 1935. w. o. SCHULTZ ETAL 1,991,064

REPEATING FUSE CONSTRUCTION Filed June 26, 1933 3. Sheets-Sheet 3Patented Feb 12, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE G. Steinl'nayer,Milwaukee, Wis., assignors to Line Material Company, South Milwaukee,Wis., 7 a corporation of Delaware .l I,

i? sit Application June 26, 1933, Serial No. 677,654

14 Claims.

This invention relates to a repeating fuse construction' and isparticularly directed to a construction in which a device is providedwhich recloses the circuit after the blowing of a fuse and connects afresh or reserve fuse in the circuit, such device being capable ofrepeating as many times as the device is designedfor.

The advantage of this automatic repeating fuse construction is that thedevice lends itself to transmission service and customers substationservice. Frequently in these services shortcircuits occur due to any oneof many causes, such as a tree falling across a pair of lines, a pair oflines being whipped together by a wind, 8. fiashover, a temporaryground, or the branch of a tree which in a violent wind may be blownagainst the line. Under these and similar conditions it frequentlyhappens that the trouble is only temporary and that it either ceases ofitself or the fault is burned out almost immediately.

This invention is designed to provide a device which will take care ofconditions such as out lined above, which will electrically disconnectthe blown fuse from the line, and after a predetermined brief intervalimmediately connectg a reserve or fresh fusein the line, such deviceproviding for the successive operation of as many fuses as the device isequipped to handle, and to provide a device of this type in which thetime delay interval is automatically secured from the inherentcharacteristics of the device itself without requiring any auxiliarytiming mechanism.

Also in a device of this type it is obviously desirable to provide forthe re-fusing of the blown fuse while the service is still maintainedthrough one of the auxiliary fuses.

This invention provides for the renewal of a blown fuse withoutinterrupting the service, and

objects of this invention are to provide a construction which permitsthe ready removal and 55 blowing of a preceding or first fuse, in whichthe auxiliary or reserve fuses, although mechan ically in place, arenevertheless automatically removed by a switch hook or switch stick andmay be readily replaced by such switch stick and again placed in servicewithout requiring han- I dling of any high tension part by the operator.

Further objects are to provide an automatic device in which the freefalling of the blown fuse automatically closes a switch to establish acircuit through the next reserve fuse, which locks the switch in closedposition, in which the falling cartridge may be removed and thecontinuity of service maintained, in which the re-fused cartridge whenrocked to closed position automatically restores itself, that is to say,restores the service through the first fuse, unlocking the switch anddisconnecting the next reserve fuse, the restored fuse, however,establishing its own circuit prior to the interruption of the circuitthrough the next adjacent reserve fuse.

In general, this invention has the same objects for each individual fusestructure as those dlsclosed in our copending application Serial No.622,292 for Combined switch and fuse, filed July 13, 1932. 7

An embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

Figure 1 is an elevation of the structure;

Figure 2 is a sectional view on the line 2-2 of Figure 1, with partsbroken away, with the element 22 of the right hand fuse unit, as viewedin Figure 1, omitted for the sake of clearness.

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional view on the line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary detail of the lower portion of one of thefuses, such fuse being removed from the remainder of the structure.

Referring to the drawings, it' will be seen that the fuse is carriedby-a base of any suitable type, such, for example, as the frame metalbase, which may consist of upright channel or angle members 1, and upperand lower angle or channel members 2 and 3. Y

A plurality of upper insulators 4 extend outwardly from the upper member2 and a plurality of lower insulators 5 extend outwardly from the lowermember 3, though it is to be distinctly understood that any suitablearrangement of base and insulator supports can be used without departingfrom the spirit of the invention. For instance, it is obvious thateither a single insulator, two insulators, or any number of insulatorscould be used to support the bar 6, hereinafter described.

The upper insulators 4 carry a transversely extending connecting bar 6to which a plurality of upper contact members '7 are secured. Theseupper contact members '7 are all connected and each is preferablyprovided with a latch-like sleet hood 8, as described in our copendingapplication. Preferably each of the contacts 7 is provided with an uppercopper'or bronze brush 9 which resiliently bears against the flat faceof the upper contact 10 of the fuse 11. This sleet hood orlocking membermay be released by pulling downwardly upon the switch hook ring oroperating member 12, such member being provided with a forked rearportion equipped with arms 13 which are located below the latchingmember 8 and serve to raise the latching member, thereby permitting theupper end or pin 14 of the upper contact 10 of the fuse to clear thelatching member and thus permitting the opening of the device if it isdesiredto manually open it. This specific construction, however, isdescribed in great detail in our copending application.

One of theupper contacts 7 is provided with a lead in terminal 15. Eachof the lower insulators 5 carries a supporting bracket 16 to whichis.bolted a member 1'7 provided with a lower hook-like bottom support18. A terminal carrying bracket 19 is bolted below the member 1'7, seeFigure 3, andis provided with a lead receiving terminal 20.

For each of the succeeding fuses a contact bracket 21 replaces thebracket 19 and each or these contact brackets is provided with a contactarm 22 projecting laterally towards the next adjacent fuse, see Figures1 and 2.. The bracket 19 and each of the brackets 21 is provided withspring contact brushes, such as copper or bronze brushes, as indicatedby the reference character 23, see Figure 3. These brushes bear againsta normally substantially vertical lever 24, see Figure 2, which ispivoted at 25 upon an intermediate member 26 carried by the fuse tubeadjacent its lower end. Each of the levers 24 is provided with outwardlyprojecting trunnions 27 ,which are removably received within the hooksupports 18. Further, each of these levers 24 is provided with outwardlyprojecting intermediate pins 28 which carry rubber bumpers or stops 29for a purpose hereinafter to appear. This construction is most clearlyshown in Figures 2 and 3.

From Figure 4 it will be seen that the fuse link which extendsdownwardly from the upper contact has its leader passing through thelower end of the fuse tube 11 and is clamped to the lever 24 by means ofa nut 30 carried by a threaded stud 31' which latter is integral orrigid with the lever 24. The slight turning motion of the nut whileturning it in place, serves to draw the link taut as the link is wrappedaround the stud. However, when the fuse link blows, the lever 24 allowsthe fuse tube to swing outwardly and drop downwardly, thus allowing theupper pin 14 of the upper contact, see Figure 2, to clear the latch orsleet hood 8,' as described in greater detail in our copendingapplication. The fuse tube then swings outwardly into the position shownin Figure 3.

A rocking bracket or frame is pivotally carried by each of thelowerterminal members or contact members 17, as shown in Figure 3, and ispivoted thereto as indicated by the reference character 31. This frameconsists of a pair of spaced arms 32 located on opposite sides of thefuse tube and adapted to be struck by the bumpers 29 when the fuseswings to its lowermost position, as shown in Figure 3. The upper end ofthis rocking frame is provided with a transverse portion 33 which islocated below the face 34 of a spring pressed latch 35. However, whenthe rocking frame is rocked outwardly into the position shown in Figure3, the transverse portion 33 bears against a shoulder 36 formed on thelatch 35 and thus locks the frame in the position shown in Figure 3.

The rocking frame is provided with an outwardly projecting arm 37, seeFigure 1, 'which carries spring contact brushes 38 which form a switchmember and which when the frame is in the position shown in Figure 3,engages the underside of the member 22 and thus electrically connectsthe lower contact of the next adjacent fuse with the lower contact ofthe blown fuse. This construction is repeated for the intermediate fuseso that when the intermediate fuse 11' blows, the outer fuse 11" willthen be electrically connected in circuit. Obviously as many of thesefuse units can be employed as desired. The end fuse 11" need not beprovided with the outwardly projecting arm 37 on its rocking frame 32'.

It is to be noted that the rocking frame 32 is urged inwardly by meansof the spring 39, see Figure 3, so that the transverse portion 33 isfirmly held on the shoulder 36 of the spring pressed latch 35. When theparts are locked in this position, the switch arm or contact brushes 38are held in firm engagement with the contact plate 22 of the nextadjacent fuse when the first fuse has blown, as shown in Figures 1 and3.

It is preferable to provide a flexible connector as indicated by thereference character 40, see Figure 2, which joins the switch arm orcontact brush 38 with the bracket 21 or with some other portionconnected with the lower terminal of its fuse unit. Also it ispreferable to provide an arcing contact 38',see Figure 2, for the springbrushes or switch arm 38.

It is to be noted that the member 26 is provided with a rearwardlyprojecting face portion 41 which engages the upwardly projecting finger42 of the spring pressed latch 35 so as to release the latch when theblown fuse, after having been re-fused, is rocked into operativeposition, as shown in Figure 2, or as shown in the last two fuses ofFigure 1.

Further, it is preferable to provide the member 26 with an outwardlyprojecting arm 43 which is adapted to be engaged by a switch stick so tothe rocking motion of the then released lever 24, and thereafter rockoutwardly and downwardly to its final bottom position, as shown in theleft hand side of Figure 1 and in Figure 3.

Until the fuse has completed its rocking motion, the remaining fuses areelectrically out of circuit, though mechanically in position. As the.fuse completes its downward swing, the bumpers 29 or the pins 28, ifthe bumpers are omitted, engage the forked arms of the frame 32 and rockthis frame into the position shown in Figure 3, the latch snapping intoplace. As the frame 32, is rocked quickly into the position shown inFigure 3, which corresponds to the left hand unit of Figure 1, it willbe seen that the contact brushes or switch member 38 engages theunderside of the contact plate 22 of the next fuse and thus electricallyconnects the next fuse in the circuit.

If the fault has been cleared, obviously the next fuse does not blow butmaintains the service. However, if the fault has not cleared, the nextfuse 11' operates as described for the first fuse 11 and successivelyconnects the next fuse 11" in the circuit.

- It frequently happens, as stated previously, that t the fault is onlya temporary one and that after the blowing of one fuse, the fault isgone, as, for instance, when abranch is suddenly violently blown incontact with a line, or when a flashover occurs, or any other of thistype of temporary short-circuit condition obtains.

A certain interval is required for the free falling of the fuse and thistime delay or interval, which is inherent in the construction of theapparatus itself and not dependent upon any auxiliary timing mechanism,insures a certain predetermined lapse of time before the next successivefuse is electrically connected into the circuit.

Further it is to be noted particularly that after the blown fuse hasbeen re-fused and is being rocked into place, that before the member 26engages the finger 42 of the spring pressed latch 35, that the uppercontact 10 has engaged the extended unfiexed contact brush 9. Continuedmotion of the fuse towards closed position releases the latch 35 andallows the frame 32 to be snapped back or be drawn back by the spring39, see Figure 3, into its initial position, thereby rocking the switchmember or brush 38 from engagement with the plate 22 and opening thecircuit through the next or reserve fuse. During a brief instant justprior to the final closing motion of the fuse, it is obvious that two ofthe fuses temporarily carry the current in parallel and thus nointerruption of the service is occasioned during the reclosing of thefuse.

It will be seen that a novel and very rugged form of automatic orrepeating fuse mechanism has been provided by this invention which doesnot require any cocking or setting of the mechanism, which does notrequire the mechanical throwing or rocking of the fuse into position;

7 mechanism is required for this construction but that the constructionis wholly automatic both in resetting and opening the circuit throughthe next adjacent reserve fuse and in establishing this circuit when thepreceding fuse blqws.

It will be seen further that the construction is very simple,.that it iseasy to operate, and that it maybe operated by means of a switch.

stick or fuse stick, thereby guarding against damage to the lineman oroperator.

Although this invention has been described in considerable detail, it isto be understood that such description is intended as illustrativerather than limiting, as the invention may be variously embodied and isto be interpreted as claimed.

We claim: v

1. A repeating fuse. construction comprising a first fuse unit and asecond fuse unit, a fuse link in each unit, an electric line normallyconnected through said first fuse unit, both said units being normallymechanically held in operative position, said first fuse unit beingbiased towards motion away from its normal position, means for releasingsaid first fuse.unit upon blowing of the fuse link of said first fuseunit, said first fuse unit being movable to inoperative position uponblowing' of the link of said first unit, and a switch directly moved bythe movement of said first fuse unit for electrically connectingsaid.second fuse unit in said electric line, said switch normallyoccupying open circuit position and being moved by the movement of thefirst fuse unit.

2. A repeating fuse construction comprising a first fuse unit and asecond fuse unit, a fuse link in each unit, an electric line normallyconnected through said first fuse unit, both said units being normallymechanically held in operative position, said first fuse unit beingbiased towards motion away from its normal position, means for releasingsaid first fuse unit upon blowing of the fuse link of said first fuseunit, said first fuse unit being movable to inoperative position uponblowing of the link of said first unit, and a switch directly moved bythe movement of said first fuse unit for electrically connecting saidsecond fuse unit in said electric line after said first fuse unit hasmoved to a predetermined position, said switch normally occupying opencircuit position and being moved by the movement of the'first fuse unit,whereby a predetermined time delay is secured between the operation ofsaid first fuse unit and the reclosing of the circuit through saidsecond fuse unit.

3. An automatic repeating fuse construction comprising a first fuse unitand a second fuse unit, an electric line normally connected through saidfirst fuse unit, both said fuse units being normally mechanically heldin operative position, means for releasing said first fuse unit uponblowing of said first fuse unit, means actuated by the movement of saidfirst fuse unit for connecting said electrical line through said secondfuse unit, and locking means for positively looking said secondmentioned means after said first mentioned means has operated, wherebysaid first fuse unit may be removed for re-fusing without disturbing thecircuit through said second fuse unit.

4. An automatic repeating fuse construction comprising a first fuse unitand a second fuse unit, an electric line normally connected through saidfirst fuse unit, both said fuse uni s being normally mechanically heldin operative position, means for releasin said first fuse unit uponblowing of said first fuse unit, means actuated by the movement of saidfirst fuse unit for connecting said electrical line through said secondfuse unit, and locking means for locking said second mentioned meansafter said first mentioned means has operated, said locking means beingreleased by said first fuse unit when said first fuse unit is moved backinto operative position.

5. An automatic repeating fuse construction comprising a first fuse unitand a second fuse unit, an electric line normally connected through saidfirst fuse unit, both said fuse units being normally mechanically heldin operative position, means for releasing said first fuse unit uponblowing of said first fuse unit, switch means actuated by the movementof said first fuse unit for connecting said line through said secondfuse unit, and a spring pressed latch for positively locking said switchmeans in closed position.

6. An automatic repeating fuse construction comprising a first fuse unitand a second fuse unit, an electric line normally connected through saidfirst fuse unit, both said fuse units being normally mechanically heldin operative position, means for releasing said first fuse unit uponblowing of said first fuse unit, switch means actuated by the movementof said first fuse unit for connecting said line through said secondfuse unit, anda spring pressed latch for positively locking said switchmeans in closed position, said first fuse unit being freely mechanicallyremovable when in inoperative position without disturbing said switchmeans.

7. An. automatic repeating fuse construction comprising a first fuseunit and a second fuse unit, an electric line normally connected throughsaid first fuse unit, both said fuse units being normally mechanicallyheld in operative position, means for releasing said first fuse-unitupon blowing of said first fuse unit, switch means actuated by themovement of said first fuse unit for connecting said line through saidsecond fuse unit, and a spring pressed latch for locking said switchmeans in closed position, said first fuse unit b'eing freelymechanically removable when in inoperative position without disturbingsaid switch means, said latch being released by said first fuse unitwhen said first fuse unit is moved back to operative position. Y

8. An automatic repeating fuse construction comprising a first fuse unitand a second fuse unit,

an electric line normally connected through said first fuse unit, bothsaid fuse units being normally mechanically held in operative position,means for releasing said first fuse unit upon blowing of said first fuseunit, switch means permanently biased towards open position and actuatedby the movement of said first fuse unit for connecting said line throughsaid second fuse unit, and a spring pressed latch for locking saidswitch means in closed position.

9. An automatic repeating fuse construction comprising a first fuse unitand a second fuse unit, an electric line normally connected through saidfirst fuse unit, both said fuse units being normally mechanically heldin operative position, means for releasing said first fuse unit uponblowing of said first fuse unit, switch means actuated by the movementof said first fuse unit for connecting said line through said secondfuse unit, and a spring pressed latch for locking said switch means inclosed position, open supporting means for pivotally supporting saidfirst fuse unit, said first fuse unit being freely mechanicallyremovable from its supporting means when in inoperative position withoutdisturbing said switch means. 10. An automatic repeating fuseconstruction comprising a first fuse unit and a second fuse unit, anelectric line normally connected through said first fuse unit, both saidfuse units being normally mechanically held in operative position, meansfor releasing said first fuse unit upon blowing of said first fuse unit,switch means biased towards open position and actuated by the movementof said first fuse unit for connecting said line through said secondfuse unit, and a spring pressed latch for locking said switch means inclosed position, said first fuse unit being freely mechanicallyremovable when in inoperative position without disturbing said switchmeans, said latch being released by said first fuse unit when said firstfuse unit is'moved back to operative position.

11. A repeating fuse construction comprising a plurality of drop-outfuse units, each unit comprising a body portion having stationarycontacts, a fuse tube having spaced contacts normally engaging saidstationary contacts and movable outwardly, a fuse link for each fusetube normally restraining the outward motion of the fuse tube, and aswitch carried by each preceding fuse unit and closable directly by theforce due to the fall of the corresponding fuse tube for connecting thenext succeeding fuse unit in circuit.

12. A repeating fuse construction comprising a plurality of drop-outfuse units, each unit comprising a body portion having stationarycontacts, a fuse tube having spaced contacts normally engaging saidstationary contacts and movable outwardly, a fuse link for each fusetube normally restraining the outward motion of the fuse tube, a switchcarried by each preceding fuse unit and closable directly by the forcedue to the fall of .the corresponding fuse tube for connecting the nextsucceeding fuse unit in circuit, and means urging each switch towardsopen position.

13. In a repeating fuse construction comprising i a plurality ofpivotally mounted fuse cartridges each having a latch holding them incircuit closing position and controlled by fuse links in the cartridges,a plurality of switches normally in open circuit position and adapted toconnect certain of said fuse cartridges in the circuit, said switcheshaving switch operating arms extending into the path of movement of saidfuse cartridges when the latter are moving to open circuit position,whereby the switches are moved to closed circuit position solely by saidfuse cartridges.

14. A repeating fuse construction comprising a first fuse unit and asecond fuse unit, said fuse units each including a. fuse tube and beingof the drop-outtype and each having a lever pivotally supporting thecorresponding fuse tube in operative position and releasing the fusetube and allowing the fuse tube to drop outwardly. to inoperativeposition when said lever rocks away from the fuse tube, a fuse link ineach fuse tube normally holding the corresponding lever of the fuse unitagainst motion, and a switch actuated by the out- WILLIAM O. SCHULTZ.ALWIN G. STEINMAYER.

